Jeremy Ratliff
Editor
The Bluejay varsity volleyball squad rebounded from a pair of tough losses to D.C Everest (2-3) and Marshfield (1-3) to open the season, with a big win at home over Wausau-West on Thursday evening, Oct. 1.
Tuesday, Oct. 29 @ Marshfield-
Merrill 20 25 20 22- 1
Marshfield 25 21 25 25- 3
“Going into tonight, it was another match where we had to hold our breath and cross our fingers we’d be able to play,” comments head coach Kris Krug.
“This of course makes it hard to plan a lineup or strategize when our main concern is finding out which players are able to play or even if we are able to play at all. We had four freshmen incorporated into our starting lineup, which we had not planned for. I thought the freshmen held their own and the seniors stepped up as leaders; just like I knew they would. Everybody knew what was expected of them and did their best to execute.”
“Our serve-receive improved from last week and we started picking up tips,” Krug adds.
“Which is was what hurt us last Friday. Our serves were more aggressive and we scored more points with them than last week, but overall it is something we need to work on as we missed too many. On offense, we weren’t swinging as strong as we were on Friday and we were overall flat footed, which made it harder to transition off of the next. We spotted Marshfield too many points at the beginning of each set and had a hard time digging ourselves out of the hole. In the end, it was another match under our belts and we are learning and adjusting as we go. We take it one day at a time as we do not know what tomorrow will bring. As always, we are hoping for one more game.”
Offensive Leaders: Kelly Page (11k), Jordyn Henrich (7k) Avery Hoff/Nicole Zoellner (6k).
Defensive Leaders: Jordyn Henrich (Blk), Elexa Emmer (Blk), Rachel Travis (20 d), Kelly Page (12d), Emma Hoff (6d).
Thursday, Oct.1 Wausau-West-
Wausau West 25 25 12 22- 1
Merrill 27 23 25 25-3
“It felt good to get our first win of the season in the books,” Krug said.
“Our skeleton crew of 8 players worked hard tonight and played like they had nothing to lose. We were missing several key players tonight and without any hesitation the rest of the team stepped up. Nicole Zoellner was again a force to be reckoned with. She has stepped up her game tremendously from her junior year and has become our “to go to” hitter. Kelly Page had another solid night along with Rachel Travis. Hannah Losee contributed with her unwavered serving skills and spot on back row play. Keeping our fingers crossed that Merrill Volleyball will see another day.”
Offensive Leaders: Nicole Zoellner (9k), Emma Hoff (8k), Kelly Page/Jordyn Henrich (7k).
Defensive Leaders: Jordyn Henrich (3 solo blk), Nicole Zoellner (2 solo blk), Rachel Travis (23d), Hannah Losee (14d), Kelly Page (11d).